“Bladeless” LASIK at American Eye Center

July 22, 2011

American Eye Center in Greenbelt 5

Last Wednesday I attend the American Eye Center’s unveiling of the most advanced laser technology — the Wavelight Refractive Suite or all-Laser or bladeless LASIK surgery. I had done LASIK surgery in 2005 and I’ve written and spoken about this many times. I admit, it was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but it was also one of the best decisions I’ve made. It completely changed my life. Having bad vision for decades was a major disability for me and it became a hindrance. I remember taking crazy risks like scuba diving with contacts on, only to have my contacts fly out of my eye while riding the boat, leaving me half blind while diving. Grr! And all these crazy lightweight titanium glare-free glasses that weren’t actually glare-free on TV (those made me look too serious anyway). And my baby Sophia grabbing and breaking three eyeglasses. It marked the end of needing specs just to function. Best thing I’ve ever done.

Sharing my experience about LASIK with RJ Ledesma. I wonder if he’s going to get LASIK done. (I wish there was a similar procedure that could LASIK my arms. But I’m an all-natural kind of girl, except with this eye surgery which was necessary.)

American Eye Center had invited me to participate in the press conference by sharing my own experience with LASIK. The media, and I’m sure many of you readers, wanted to know if it hurt. It was completely painless. The worst thing about it was my fear. But the procedure was fast and painless – and I was completely awake. I got perfect vision immediately – after about a 3 hour nap at home. And my vision is still perfect — no, more than perfect — up to now.

The new machine is also LASIK except that it uses an all-laser technology. The one I had still used a blade. But like I said, it was also completely painless and fast. Let me quote from their press kit because it’s highly technical…

The all Laser or bladeless LASIK surgery via the WaveLight Refractive Suite.

The first of its kind in the Philippines, this new equipment is very much in demand in all premier eye centers around the world. Its acquisition by American Eye Center reinforces the latter’s commitment to be at par with global standards of quality and excellence in ophthalmic laser treatment.

The WaveLight Refractive Suite is known as the world’s fastest refractive platform . It combines two of the most advanced lasers currently available for performing LASIK surgery—the WaveLight EX500, a 500 Hz repetition excimer laser; and the WaveLight FS200, a 200 kHz Femtosecond laser.

The FS200 femtosecond laser is impressive because of its speed and ability to make the flap that is needed for LASIK surgery. There is no need for blades. The surgeon is given the freedom of choice with regard to diameter, shape, thickness, depth, angle and location of the flap according to the individual needs of the patient. Integrating seamlessly with the FS200 is the EX500, the fastest excimer laser in the market operating at 1.4 seconds per diopter of treatment. It can perform a wide range of customized treatments.

American Eye doctors with host RJ Ledesma and Magic 89.9 TM DJ Jessica Mendoza, who actually underwent the new all-laser LASIK during the presscon! We all watched live as it happened. And she went on stage minutes after surgery.

Here I am with Dr. Tan and Dr. Cabrera. It was Dr. Tan who performed my surgery in 2005.

The doctors of American Eye Center.

As mentioned in Twitter, American Eye Center is giving away ONE FREE LASIK SURGERY to one of my readers. This giveaway is completely transferrable. So you can give the gift of seeing to someone you care about. I honestly am bogged down with birthday party issues and details, so I haven’t figured out how to do this contest. Should we do it completely at random? Or should you share your stories and leave it up to me to choose. I have no idea. Let me put my kids to bed first and I’ll be back with the contest details.

In the meantime, let me know your thoughts.

EDIT: August 1, 2011 6:51 PM. Contest is now closed. All comments posted after this time won’t be counted. Thank you.